5 at 10: Special Thursday mailbag

5 at 10: Special Thursday mailbag

OK, gang, last Thursday we set a 5-at-10 comments record, and Oso rightly noted that crazy stuff happens on Thursday around these parts.

Today, we're moving four questions that would have been in our regularly scheduled Friday mailbag forward one day. We did this because we have a one-question, extra-special mailbag scheduled for Friday that will have a five-part answer.

And to stay topical, we're going to use the "This and That" to make sure we're updated on the day's storylines.

From the "7-Up Stinks Studios," here we go...

Staff Photo by Dan Henry
UT's head coach Phillip Fulmer watches his players during the first half of play Saturday afternoon. The University of Tennessee played Auburn University at Jordan Hare Stadium, September 27, 2008.

Staff Photo by Dan Henry
UT's head coach Phillip...

This and That

- TFP ace Stephen Hargis had an interesting story about former Vols rallying for Phil Fulmer to be the next men's athletic director. What say you Johnny Vols Fans? (Let's just say if the big guy ever throws around the 007 type of intro, "Fulmer, Phillip Fulmer, UT men's AD" it would shock the socks off the 5-at-10.)

- The Stanley Cup Final (no 's' mind you) is now tied at 2-2. The 5-at-10 is really hoping for Game 7. Game 7s are way, Way, WAY underrated. Here's hoping for a Game 7 in hockey, hoops and the World Series.

- Terrelle Pryor said he's getting interest from CFL teams. And maybe UFL teams. We've noticed that the letters MBA have not been tossed about. Anyhoo, here's a question: If Pryor wanted to transfer to another college since the five-game suspension was issued by THE Ohio State University, is that allowable? Don't think Jacksonville State has not already asked about this.

- Auburn was welcomed by Obama to the White House on Wednesday. No word whether Cecil Newton was asking the Democrat Party for a "donation" before Cam Newton could attend.

- Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said his Sooners, who were whipped by USC in the 2004 BCS title game, do not want the title that was vacated by the Trojans. OK, sure Bob.

- Chuck Barkley is awesome. That's all there is to it. His rant about not being able to cheer for the Heat was awesome. And, this weekend is the annual celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe, which Charles plays in - and plays badly. (He's thinking about switching to left-handed clubs. Seriously.) And celebrity golf ranks up there with professional poker and college softball as sporting events that cause us unknowingly to stop the clicker, which also leaves us without an answer when the Mrs. 5-at-10 asks, "Why are you watching that?"

Atlanta Braves second baseman Dan Uggla (26) follows through on a three-run homer in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals Tuesday, May 10, 2011, in Atlanta. Washington won 7-6. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Atlanta Braves second baseman Dan Uggla (26) follows...

From the 5-at-10

Hey, 5-at-10, love the show. It's great, really. Anyhoo, enough about us. Can you guess which of the following three things we did not make up:

- Our 3-year-old son was doing differential equations and other basic calculus last night when we got home;

- In her excitement about the Volkswagen opening that coincided with her birthday weekend, our 1-year-old daughter's first word was Fahrvergnügen;

- Dan Uggla had a clean, well-struck line-drive single last night.

Have at it.

5-at-10,

Great question. We're going to go with Uggla's sharp single to left center in last night's 3-2 win over Florida.

(OK, full disclosure, we're familiar with the kids mentioned and we actually saw the Uggla hit.)

Is this the proverbial "blind squirrel/nut" kind of thing or could this be the start of something bigger?

Hard to know, but it was the best contact he's had in a few weeks. It was a solid, compact swing. It could be the springboard. (It also could be a blip on the radar, because we were truly stunned that we saw an Uggla hit -- which in retrospect is not a compliment.)

Cuonzo Martin speaks during a news conference after being introduced as the new University of Tennessee men's basketball coach on Monday.
Staff Photo by Patrick Smith/Chattanooga Times Free Press

Cuonzo Martin speaks during a news conference after...

From CelticVol

Hello 5@10, While all Tennessee fans focus and attention has turned toward Friday and Saturday's hearing with the NCAA I would like to look back at Cuonzo Martin's first recruiting class. Do you think it was impressive or an act of desperation that Martin was able to sign 5 guys in less than 8 weeks on the job?

P.S. What is your favorite pair of Air Jordan's?

Great question, and this weekend will be less than relaxing for Johnny Vols Fan. (We thought the NCAA trip was going to be hard for Kiffin and Pearl, but with Mike Hamilton's resignation makes us wonder if there is not something else on the horizon. Interesting times, indeed.)

In regard to Cuonzo's first UT class, our answer is yes. Yes, it was impressive, and yes, it had some scents of desperation.

He landed a couple of guards that he believes can help, which is fine. We don't know if he believes they could help Missouri State or in the SEC, but help is help.

He properly said thanks but no thanks to Kevin Ware, the four-star guard who at least seems like he will be troublesome before his college basketball career is complete.

And, despite saying he would not reach for post players just to add post players, it seems like he reached for post players just to add post players.

In truth, though, Martin was in a lose-lose deal, especially with UT's two best players heading to the NBA. Plus, he had to add some size, lest he go into the season with a rapper named SwiperBoy as his starting power forward.

As for the Air Jordans, our favorite Nikes were the Air Revolution. But doing a little research (yes, shocking, we know), we have learned there are Air Jordan Winterized (AKA hiking boots). We also discovered the great black, white and red Air Jordan with the wheel and wings logo (it may have been among the first pairs). The Carolina Blue Air Jordans were pretty sweet, too.

Miami Heat's LeBron James celebrates after scoring against the Boston Celtics during the second half of Game 2 of a second-round NBA playoff basketball series, Tuesday, May 3, 2011 in Miami. The Heat won 102-91. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)

Miami Heat's LeBron James celebrates after scoring against...

From JordanRules

Is this LeBron's defining moment? He's going down and all you pro-LeBron folks are stupid.

JordanRules,

It looks like you may have the last laugh in your LeBron bashing.

And while this series is a big moment, it's hard to know if it's a defining moment.

For example, if LeBron disappears again and the Mavs win this series, but James and the Heat win the next five titles, does this meltdown define him? If LeBron erupts - and here's saying he will (the 5-at-10 has put our chips in, there's no folding now) - but that's the only title the Heatles win, then maybe not.

That said, if James and Co. don't reach expectation over the next couple of seasons, his Game 4 vanishing act will forever tarnish his rep. And in some circles, it probably will anyway.

Did you see that Alabama lost another transfer? They've lost a lot of players. I think they're overrated. Thoughts?

SEC follower

Alabama did lose another transfer - former four-star running back Corey Grant, a speedster who has likely fielded a lot of calls in the recent days. (Wonder whether UTC has reached out to Grant?)

The Tide have lost five transfers now since the end of the season, and while that may seem like a lot, it also has to do with the fact that Alabama has recruited so well over the last three years. There simply is so much talent in Tuscaloosa - and there are only so many spots for people to play - that some guys see the writing on the wall about never seeing the field.

Which leads us to your next question. No, the Tide are not overrated. In fact, they may be underrated. That's right, underrated. If they are not preseason No. 1 (and most polls have Oklahoma there) it's only because the SEC West is the toughest division this side of the NFC South.